A beautiful walk in the hidden dale of Grisedale in the Yorkshire Dales

When travelling from Hawes along the A684 just over the border into Cumbria you’ll find the hidden dale of Grisedale. I’d heard of Grisedale and people were saying how lovely it was to walk in this area which left me intrigued as to what our walk might be. We walked for just over 5 miles, most of it quite easy going and, yes, once up the initial hill and over the brow you can see why they call it the hidden dale. What a beautiful walk and well worth doing. There are various houses dotted here and there some of which have been lovingly renovated which is good to see. It once was a thriving community at one time with a school, a chapel and, we think, a Quaker Meeting House.

Please do plot your route and take the map and/or GPS, always wear appropriate clothing, it was a little chill when we set off so needed coats to start off with, and good boots, it can be a little wet under foot in places. Plenty to drink and, of course, plenty to eat!

We parked our cars in the overflow carpark at Garsdale Station and set off back down the hill to the A684. Cross the road and over the stile there, veer a little to the left and make your way up hill, the path is quite well walked and the stiles are well marked. Follow right to the end, just past East Scale and West Scale. Along the way we walked by a stream, (there is a waterfall but we missed this!) soaked in the scenery, admired Reachey which has been renovated and now shows the beautiful dales stone, newly pointed up and cleaned, which it was built with originally. Onward to East and West Scale which are now sadly in disrepair, East Scale, we feel, was the Quaker Meeting House.

Here we found the perfect place to stop by the stream and have our lunch and talk about the dale and its past inhabitants. After lunch it was back to the finger post by the little bridge to take up the route again. The return journey takes us past Flust, Fea Fow and East House. At East House turn left,  north, and make your way up the hill on the tarmac road. At the next finger post go right on to the bridleway and make your way gradually down to the Settle and Carlisle railway line. Soon you can see all the Yorkshire Three Peaks and if looking in an easterly direction you can see Addlebrough and Penhill further down Wensleydale.  At one point you can see two viaducts. Wonderful!

Once down to the railway line walk along the cottage driveway and take the stile in front of you and then it’s back to the A684 over the fields following the path. All in all a very successful day with plenty of interest. I’ve tried to do some research but can find very little but you can follow this link to find out a little more about East Scale and West Scale and, what might be a rumour, about Vince Cable from Depeche Mode and his connection to the dale.

If you’re in need of some refreshment do call in at the Moorcock Inn, if you have come from the Hawes direction you will have passed it a mile or so back.

Come and stay nearby in one of our beautiful Country Hideaways holiday cottages. Call me, Nadine, or my daughter Joanne, on 01969 663559 for friendly help and advice and of course you can book online if you wish. See you soon!